Driving back from Lunch today I noticed some construction at one of the token apartment buildings on N Country Club Drive. Being the consummately nosy neighbor that I am, I happened to also notice that what they're building isn't normal slumlord-type stuff- it's actually kind of sleek and shiny.
The foreman on the job was happy to talk about the work. From him I learned that the cost for the entire project is "In the Millions", and that the solar panels cost "over 500,000 dollars alone". Sounds like a ton of money to spend on aging apartment complex in West Mesa, right?
The important facts are this: at this particular rental complex, where individual meters for each rental unit were not part of the original construction and all utilities are paid by the property owners, a solar installation like this will cut the monthly utility expenses in half.
That translates directly to a savings of 150,000 dollars per year for the owners.
The solar structures now shade the residents' vehicles- converting light energy that would normally make the blacktop a summertime heatsink- and the structures have solar powered lights on the underside that light the parking areas at night.Overall, it's a win/win/win. The improvements make the residents' lives more comfortable, generate huge monthly savings, and add to the value of the property.
And it's happening now in West Mesa.
I wonder why more places don't do this. My company has cover parking structures like the ones above. I bet they could power a lot of the building with solar. Maybe one day they will. But, for now all I can hope is this becomes a trend.
ReplyDeleteMost definitely, A!
ReplyDeleteI wonder this, too.
The Job foreman was actually from California and said that this is common there(San Diego), but just hasn't taken off here...yet ;)
I too was curious about the project at a project that was not class A. When I spoke to the manager they said that they also are charging $35.00 a month for the parking spaces. Seems like the cost savings and revenue generation would make this type of project more feasible for many apartment and condo complexes.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, Terry. Thanks for the info!
ReplyDelete